Instrument supporting device



il N VEN TOR. -C/yd@ l #M75/c er BY A TTORN E Y C. L. HUNSICKER INSTRUMENT SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed July 20, 1956 March 21, 1939.

Patented Mar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSTRUMENT SUPPORTING DEVICE cisco, Calif.

Application July 20, 1936, Serial No. 91,464

8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to equipment for adjustably supporting various instruments, as for example ophthalmological instruments used in the testing of eyes and the fitting of glasses.

It is an object of the invention to generally improve upon apparatus of the above character whereby the instrument or device being supported can be conveniently adjusted to any desired position, and can be rmly held in such position while the instrument is in use. In the past, such apparatus has been constructed in such a manner as to be difficult to manipulate, both with respect to adjusting the instrument to a desired position, and with respect to retaining the instrument in a desired location after adjustments are made. The present invention provides a minimum number of members to be manipulated in securing a desired adjustment, and a simple mechanism is provided for retaining a given adjustment.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

A Fig. 1 is a side elevational View, in cross-section, illustrating an apparatus incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the' line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a part of the arm incorporated in the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawing consists of a relatively rigid mounting I0, which can be secured to some fixed structure, as for example the wall II of a room. Associated with the mounting Ill there is a carriage I2, to which in turn is secured a laterally extending arm I3. The free end of arm I3 carries a bar or like memberl I4, to which an opthalmological instrument can be secured, or any other device or instrument which the operator wishes to support in an adjustable position. As will be presently explained the carriage I2 can be adjusted in a vertical position with respect to the mounting I0. Likewise the carriage together with the arm I3 can be adjusted in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis, and the angular setting of bar I4 can be varied with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm I3.

A guide or tracking means for the carriage I2, is preferably constructed as follows: The mounting Ill includes upper and lower retaining members I6 and Il, which are each generally annular in form, with substantially cylindrical bores I8. 5 Rotatably retained within each of the members I6 an-d I1, are the .discs I9 and 20. Vertically extending tracking elements 22, 23 and 24 are provided, which can be in the form of relatively rigid steel rods. The upper and lower ends of 10 these rods are fixed to the discs I9 and 20. A suitable spacing for the rods 22, 23 and 24 is shown in Fig. 4, in which their axes are disposed coincident with the corners of an equi-lateral triangle, and with the axis of the two rods 23 15 and 24 being disposed at equal distances from the surface of the wall II, when the axis of the arm I3 is at right angles to the plane of the wall.

The carriage I2 can be in the form of a suitable casting, to which two sets of guide rollers 26 and 2l, are journalled. The general plane of rollers 2B is at an acute angle to the plane of rollers 2l, so that each roller 26 is adapted to engage the rods 22 and 24, while each roller 21 is adapted to engage rods 22 and 23. With such an arrange- 25 ment it is apparent that carriage I2 will be adequately guided for vertical movements, and that sufoient strength will be afforded so that arm I 3 may carry a substantial weight. Likewise it will be understood that the carriage I2, to- 30 gether with arm I3, can be swung in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis coinci-dent with the centers of discs I9 and 20, and in making such adjustments the guide rods 22, 23 and 24 turn in unison with the carriage I2 and I3. 35

The main length of arm I3 can be formed of a rigid metal tube |30.. One end of this tube is shown having a rigid telescopic connection with the main casting of carriage I2, While the other end is shown having a rigid telescopic connection with a hollow extension casting 3|.

In order to facilitate making Vertical adjustments of the arm I3, means are provided as follows: Journalled with the extension 3l there is shaft 32, the outer end of which carries a hand 4 wheel 33 or like operating member. An inner portion of shaft 32 carries a pinion 34, adapted to engage a tooth rack 36. Rack 36 is secured to one end of a rod 31, and this rod extends longitudinally through the tube |30., to a point near the carriage I2.

Associated with the carriage I2 there is a flexible cable or chain 38. One end of this chain is anchored to the carriage, as indicated at 39, and the other end is suitably anchored to the disc I9. For example the one end of the chain has been shown secured to a threaded rod 4I, which extends upwardly through the disc I9, and is engaged by a nut 42 at its upper end This chain is tracked over sprocket 43, which is journalled to the carriage, and also to a sprocket 44, which is journalled to the adjacent end of rod 31. Thus when the hand wheel 33 is turned to move sprocket 44 towards the right as viewed in Fig. 1, the carriage I2 is moved upwardly with respect to the mounting In, and vice versa, when the hand wheel V33 is turned in the opposite direction, to move sprocket 44 to the left, the carriage moves downwardly. Y

In order to enable vertical adjustments of the arm I3 to bemade with the least possible effort, it is desirable to provide counterbalancing means to compensate for the weight ofthe moving parts. The counterbalancing means illustrated, consists of a compression spring 46, one end of which is seated upon the carriage Il,v and the other end which is seated upon a follower 41. WithinV the compression spring 46there, is a tension spring 48, having its oneend anchored to the follower v41, and its other end anchored to the rod 31 as indicated at 49. Follower 41Y is free to slide longitudinally over the rod 31. It will be evident that compression spring 4IV tends to urge follower 41 to the right as viewedrin Fig. 1, and such force is applied as tensionto spring 48, which in turn applies force to rod 31, in ardirection to tension the chain 3,8.V This type, of counterbalvancing makes it possible to entirely compensate for the weightof the vertically adjustable parts, without however interfering with lowering of the armwhen the hand wheel `33V is turned in the proper direction.UV Y

The pivotal connection between member I4 and the` arm I3, can be constructed as follows Member/,I4 is secured to a casting 5I, which is forked as illustrated to provide upper and lower portions 52 andk53 of a pivotal connection. Complernentary portions 54 and 55, are formed on the extension casting 3l.V Extending through these portions thereisy a tubular shaft 56. This shaft isfreeto rotaterin portions 52 and 53, and is fixed with respect to portions 54 and 55, so that member I4 Vcan be turned at various kangles in a horizontal plane, with respectto the axis of arm I3. s

In the foregoing 'IV have described the means incorporated in my apparatus enablingV adjustment in a vertical direction, swinging adjustment ofthe entirearm I3 about avertical axis, and individual angular adjustment of the member I4, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm I3.V I shall now describe means whereby braking forces can be. applied, tok retain any instrument attached to member|4 relatively steady and in a fixed position. VVA shaft 51 is journalled to the extension casting 3|, and `one end of this shaft is secured to an operating lever 58. An arm 59r4 is secured to an inner portion of the shaft 51, and carries a cam roller 6I. Disposed within the hollow shaft 56, there is a slidable plunger 62. This plunger is urged downwardly by compression spring 63, the upper end of which is shown seated upon 'a retaining capY 64. Plunger 6 2 has a pivotal Vconnection 66 with one arm of as lever 61. 'I'his lever has a fulcrum connection 68 with the extension casting 3|., and its other arm is provided with a cam surface 69, adapted to beY engaged by;v the cam roller 6I.. When the lever 58 Vis in the positionillustrated in Fig. 1, leyer-61;retains plunger162'againstthe urge of spring 63. When lever 58 is moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, it is released from dead center position, and the urge of the spring 63 moves plunger 62 downwardly, with rotation of lever 61 in a clockwise direction.

In the lower portion of tubular shaft 56, there is a second slidable plunger 1I. Extending laterally from this plunger are the` pins 12, which are accommodated in slots 13, formed in the lower end of the tubular shaft 56 (Fig. 5). The outer ends of pins 12 are in turn secured to an annular clutch ring 14. An annular recess 16 in portion 53 serves to accommodate the clutch ring 14, and complementary conical surfaces 11 are provided, whereby when ring 14 is forced downwardly, itV is caused to frictionally grip portion 53. Y

Plungers 62 and 1.I are interconnected by the links 18 and 19. The common pivotal connection 8I between these links also forms a pivotal connection with one end; of an actuating rod. 82, which in turn serves to actuate braking means associated with the carriage I2. This mechanism makes use of parts which` also incidentally serve to house a major part of the carriage I2; and the tracking rods 22, 23 and 2.4. 'I'hus the tracking rods are enclosed by the segmental curved members83, which extend betweenthe discs I8 and 2,0. Aslot or` gap 84 on the frontside of the housingsdformed, has sufficient Width` to accommodate vertical movements of the carriage. The upper and:lower edge portions of the members`83extend into the bores I8, formed in the retainingmembers IIgandf I1; Thus when the members 83'are expanded in1a general radial direction, their upper andlower edges are caused to frictionally grip the adjacent inner peripheral surfaces I8.of the members I6 and I1. The expansion of members 83.V is accomplished by means of a shoe 86 (Fig. 4) which is suitably mounted upon thecarriage I2. For-example the carriage can be provided with spaced lugs 81, within' which projecting portions 88 ofthe shoe are accommodated. The free ends of the shoe 86 are pvotally connected toa pair of links 89, which in turn have acommon pivotal connectionlwiththe adjacentY end'of rod 82. It will be noted that rod 82.extends on the lower side of arm I3, from the links 18fand 19back tothe carriage, for. connection with the links 89. When rod 82 is moved to the leftas viewed in Fig. 4, force transmitted through links-89causes expansion of shoe 86, to frictionally engage the segmentalmembers 83and inturn cause the upper and lower edge portionsof these members trofrictionallyfr grip the'retaining portions I8 `of the mountings I6 and I1. v

It has been previously' pointed'out that when the operating lever 5871s` moved to the right-as viewed in Fig. 1, plunger 62 vis free to move downwardly under the urge of spring63. Since downward movement ofl thesecond Vplunger 1I is llin-v ited, and likewisersince movement of rod 82 ltowards the carriage is limited, spring 63 will apply force to the actuating rod;82;. and simultaneously downward fo-ree; upon the plunger 1I, through the links 18and-;19.- Such lforce applied to the rod 82, causes the Yshoe 86 to frictionallygrip the segmental members 83, andlikewise causes these members to effect a gripping action with respect to the xed mounting. Downward force applied toplunger 1I also: causesthef clutch ring14ftofrictionally gripl the. adjacent conical surfacey ofport-ion 53,.: thus applyingl a. frictional grip serving to prevent a shift in angular relationship between-I member I4 and the longitudinal axis of arm I3. Thus by manipulation of a single lever 58, after desired adjustments have been made, the carriage and also the arm I3 can be firmly held in a fixed position, both with respect to its height, and also 'with respect to swinging movement about a vertical axis. Likewise angular positioning of member I4 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm, is iirmly held, so that the instrument attached to member i4 is held steady in a desired position.

If the operator desires to make adjustments it is only necessary to return lever 58 to its position as illustrated in Fig. 1. rIlhe operator may no-W adjust the arms I3 to aI desired vertical position, by turning the hand wheel 33. He may alsoswing the arm to different angles with respect to the Wall, and may turn member I4 at various angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. It will be noted that such adjustments are facilitated because the hand wheel is located at a point which is not far removed from the instrument attached to member I4. Likewise the lever 5B is in a convenient position to be manipulated, after adjustments. have been made.

I claim:

1. In an adjustable support for instruments, a relatively fixed mounting, vertically extending tracking means carried by said mounting, said tracking means being rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to said mounting, a vertically movable carriage engaging said tracking means, a laterally extending arm having one end of the same secured to said carriage, an operating member mounted upon said arm at a point remote from said carriage, a member extending longitudinally within said arm and adapted to be reciprocated by movement of said operating member, spring means carried Within said arm and serving to counterbalance the weight of the carriage and said arm, and means operatively connected to said reciprocab'le member and serving to: eect vertical adjustment of said carriage on said arm, by movement of said operating member.

2. In an adjustable support for instrument, av relatively fixed mounting, vertically extending tracking means carried by said mounting, said tracking means being rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to said mounting, a vertically movable carriage engaging said tracking means, a. laterally extending arm having one end of the same secured to said carriage, an operating member mounted upon said arm at a point remote from said carriage, a member extending longitudinally within said arm and adapted to be reciprocated by movement of said operating member, spring means carried Within said arm and serving to counterbalance the weight of the carriage and said arm, and means operatively connected to said reciprocable member and serving to effect vertical adjustment of said carriage on said arm, by movement of said operating member, said last means including a flexible cable having one end of the same xed with respect to the mounting and the other end of the same fixed to the carriage.

3. In an adjustable support for instruments, a relatively fixed mounting including upper and lower retaining members, vertically extending tracking means having their upper and lower ends journalled with respect to said retaining members, a` carriage engaging said tracking means for vertical movement, an arm having one end of the same secured to said carriage and extending laterally from the mounting, means carried by the free end of said arm for attachment of an instrument, means for effecting vertical adjustment of said carriage with respect to said tracking means, an expansible housing substantially embracing said tracking means, the upper and lower edge portions of said housing being adapted to rictionally engage portions of said mounting, when said housing is expanded, and means supported by the carriage for releasably expanding said housing.

4. In an adjustable support for instruments, a relatively fixed mounting having upper and lower retaining members, vertically extending tracking means, said tracking means having its upper and lower ends journalled with respect to said retainingmembers for rotation about a vertical axis, a carriage engaging said tracking means and movable thereon in a vertical direction with respect to the mounting, an arm having one end of the same secured to said carriage and extending laterally from the mounting, a housing surrounding said tracking means, said housing being expansible and having upper and lower portions thereof adapted to grip portions of said mounting, when said housing is expanded, a movable operating member carried by said arm, expansible shoe means carried by said carriage and engageable with the inner periphery of said housing, and means connecting said operating member with said shoe means to effect expansion of said shoe means: to grip the housing and to cause consequent expansion of said housing to grip said portions of the mounting.

5. In an adjustable support for instruments, a relatively fixed mounting, vertically extending tracking means, said tracking means being journalled with respect to said mounting, whereby said tracking means may rotate about a vertical axis, a carriage engaging said tracking means for vertical movement with respect to said mounting, a laterally extending arm having one end of the same secured to said carriage, means serving to counterbalance the weight of the carriage and said arm, and a tubular casing surrounding said tracking means, said casing being rotatable about a vertical axis together with said tracking means and having a vertical extending slot in one side of the same, to accommodate vertical movements of said carriage.

6. In an adjustable support for instruments, a relatively fixed mounting, vertically extending tracking means, means for journalling said tracking means with respect to said mounting, whereby the tracking means is rotatable about a vertical axis, a carriage engaging said tracking means and capable of vertical movement with respect to the same, a laterally extending arm having one end of the same secured to said carriage, and means serving to counterbalance the weight of the carriage and said arm, said means including a flexible retention element having one end of the same attached to the upper end of the tracking means and having the other end of the same attached to the carriage, a wheel engaging a laterally extending loop formed in said element, and a counterbalancing spring carried by the arm and serving to urge said wheel in a direction to tension said element.

'7. In an adjustable support for instruments, a relatively xed mounting, vertically extending tracking means, means for journalling said tracking means to said mounting, whereby the tracking means can be rotated about a vertical axis, a carriage engaging said tracking means and capable of vertical movement with respect to the CMU tracking means and said mounting, a laterally extending arm having one end of the same secured'cto said carriage, a tubular housing surrounding s'aid tracking means, said housing having a vertical slot formed in the same to accommodate vertical movements of said carriage, and counterbalancing means for the carriage and said arm, 'said counterbalancing means including a flexible retention element having one end of the same connected to oneend of the tracking means and the other end ofthe same connected to the carriage; and a spring carried bythe arm and serving to tension said element.

8.v In an adjustable support for instruments, a. relatively fixed mounting, three vertically extending track elements carried by the mounting, said track elements being fixed in spaced relationship with respect to each other and being rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the mounting, a carriage, a laterally extending` arm havingl one end of the same secured to the carriage, two Sets of rollers secured to the carriage and engaging said track elements, the two sets o f said rollers being disposed respectively in two planes which are at an acute angle with respect to each other, whereby the two sets of rollers engage one track element in common, and means carried by the other end of said arm for the mounting of an instrument.

CLYDE L. HUNSICKER. 

